Iranian capital hit by sudden power outages

Unannounced power cuts hit several parts of Tehran on Tuesday evening amid a deepening energy crisis that is forcing the government to shut down all schools, universities and public offices on Wednesday.

Electricity was cut off in several Tehran neighborhoods including Narmak, Tehranpars, Pasdaran, Shahrak-e Gharb and the capital's central districts due to the state's "inability to supply gas and diesel for power plants," state media reported.

According to Iran’s state electricity company Tavanir, the blackouts were caused by cold weather, increased household gas consumption, and limitations in gas supply and transmission to power plants.

The company said the outages were necessary to maintain network stability.

Iranian media reported that the power cuts also led to internet disruptions and heavy traffic congestion in some parts of the city due to malfunctioning traffic lights.

"Shortly after the power cut in Sohrevardi (a street in northeastern Tehran), slogans were being chanted in the entire alley," Iranian journalist Bahman Daroshafaei tweeted, apparently referring to anti-government slogans.

Similar outages were also reported in Karaj, a city in western Tehran.

Since November, electricity distribution companies in Tehran and other provinces have been announcing rolling blackouts for residential and commercial areas as a government strategy to conserve fuel and reduce reliance on mazut, a pollutant-heavy oil, as power plants struggle to meet demand.

Iran’s energy infrastructure is grappling with one of its most challenging winters. Facing a critical natural gas shortage, President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration has prioritized avoiding the widespread burning of mazut, or high-sulfur fuel oil, as a substitute at major power plants in cities like Arak, Isfahan, and Karaj.

With around 80% of Iran’s electricity derived from thermal power plants reliant on gas, the administration faces mounting pressure to address systemic fuel shortages.

Iran’s winter energy crisis highlighted the country’s reliance on emergency measures, as officials grapple with a resource shortage exacerbated by decades of underinvestment. With blackouts set to continue, questions over energy policy and sustainability linger.